How to save 50% of spending on gasoline using natural gas?

In the current international scenario, access to efficient, clean energy sources, such as natural gas, has positioned itself as one of the fuels with the greatest competitive advantage.

The Mexican Association of Natural Gas Vehicles (AMGNV) details that this fuel fulfills the same functions as gasoline; it is a resource 50% cheaper than fossil fuel; reduces the emission of carbon monoxide by up to 70%; and also, it’s safer because it dissolves in the air and reduces the chances of an explosion.

The AMGNV estimates that in Mexico there are 35 service stations that offer this product.

The average cost of one liter of natural gas at stations like Comsustenta is 9.90 pesos and one liter yields the same as one liter of traditional gasoline. The main disadvantage is the number of service stations and the supply of new vehicles that use natural gas.

In relation to the shortage of gasoline that has been lived in the country, the Mexican Association of Natural Gas insisted on the implementation of a strategy of diversification of vehicular fuels, with this would reduce the congestion in the supply and the paralysis of economic activities. He also invited public transport and vehicles from private companies to use this resource as an alternative gasoline.

What requirements does a car need to use vehicular natural gas?

The requirements to use a car with natural gas vehicle is to have a tuned engine and not emit black smoke. The car should be relatively recent. Finally, it is necessary to adapt a special tank of vehicular natural gas, indicates, Comsustenta.

Experts in this industry recommend adapting the car and maintaining the gas tank at the same time, in order to be able to continue with a journey even if it runs out of natural gas.

How much?

According to Combucar, an expert company in mobile conversions, installing a 16-liter tank to a sedan-type car costs 37 thousand pesos. The approximate cost of filling the tank of a sedan car is 158 pesos.

While, adapt a tank of a minibus has an approximate cost of 85 thousand pesos and fill the tank has a cost of 752 pesos.

According to Fenosa, in two years you can recover your investment from the conversion of a private car or a four-cylinder taxi. This means that, if the price of vehicular natural gas were maintained, in the third year you would save around 18 thousand pesos, considering an annual consumption of 358.7 liters of gasoline (average annual cost per Mexican according to Bloomberg data), that you buy on average at 20 pesos per liter.

In the first instance, the use of natural gas is suitable for taxis, cargo transport vans, public transport, because they are in constant use, therefore they have a higher fuel consumption.

However, for a private car that is only used for transport a few times a day, it may seem an expensive investment, but it considers that it has benefits with greater value, for example, the reduction of pollutants. Also, if at the moment, you can not buy a hybrid electric car, this option is the ideal one; since it can be cheaper and several services offer the payment of the conversion of your car in installments.